Fifth Regional Listening Session on NIH Effort to Strengthen and Modernize Biosafety Oversight

On February 12, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM ET (2:00–3:15 PM CT/1:00–2:15 PM MT), NIH and the Front Range Biosafety Association will co-host the 5th virtual listening session on advancing efforts to modernize and strengthen biosafety oversight.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Registration is required if planning to make an oral statement at the listening session. Those planning to only view the listening session are kindly requested, but not required, to register. Priority speaking slots will be given to participants located in Region 5 of NIH’s stakeholder map. More information about the goals of the listening session, as well as a draft agenda, webcast information, and registration information can be found on the meeting page of the OSP Website. 

For additional information on NIH’s Biosafety Modernization Initiative, including how you can provide on-demand ideas and comments, please visit here.

Questions may be sent to [email protected].

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NIH Issues Policy to Support Originality and Fairness in Research Application Process

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be helpful in limited aspects of preparing NIH research applications.  However, it is critical to maintain the fairness and originality of NIH’s research application process. The rapid submission of large numbers of research applications from a single Principal Investigator (PI) may also unfairly strain NIH’s application review processes. 

With this in mind, NIH is issuing a policy to outline guidance for appropriate usage of AI in research applications. To support this goal, NIH is also limiting the number of applications that NIH will consider per PI per calendar year.  

Full policy information can be found at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-132.html. Questions may be sent to [email protected].  

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NIH Public Access Policy Mandating Zero Embargo Now in Effect

Effective today, the NIH Public Access Policy is in effect and manuscripts accepted for publication in a journal on or after July 1, 2025, must be submitted to PubMed Central for public availability without embargo upon the official date of publication.

To assist with compliance, NIH has developed a new website dedicated to the Public Access Policy which includes an overview of the policy, supplemental guidance, tips for submitting to PubMed Central, contact information, and FAQs.  The site can be found at: https://grants.nih.gov/policy-and-compliance/policy-topics/public-access.

Questions can be sent to [email protected].

NIH and FDA Publish Glossary of Clinical Research Terms Related to Innovative Clinical Trial Design

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have published a new glossary of clinical research terms related to innovative clinical trial design, including studies using real-world data to generate real-world evidence. This glossary is intended to facilitate communication within the clinical research community by establishing a common vocabulary.

The glossary can be viewed here. In addition, leaders from both NIH and FDA have authored an article published in JAMA Network Open that describes the joint agency effort.

Questions can be sent to [email protected]